Changing shape

Music directors and composers

Conduct, direct, plan, and lead instrumental or vocal performances by musical artists or groups, such as orchestras, bands, choirs, and glee clubs; or create original works of music.

AI Resistance Index 28 of 99

Changing faster than most: more resilient than 28% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is high (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it high), and US jobs are projected to change by +1.2% by 2035, slower than average. The work leans on creative vision and emotional intelligence.

AI can do many of the tasks, and hiring is expected to grow slower than average or to shrink. The job is likely to change, so build the human parts of it.

Median pay (2025): $73,710
Job growth to 2035: +1.2%
Openings a year: 4,200
People doing it (2025): 51,100
Usual route in: Bachelor's degree

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Where people already use AI for this work

Create artistic designs or performances
Study details of artistic productions
Develop news, entertainment, or artistic content

From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).

Work AI rarely helps with

Coordinate artistic or entertainment activities
Present arts or entertainment performances
Perform recruiting or hiring activities

What the work looks like

Use gestures to shape the music being played, communicating desired tempo, phrasing, tone, color, pitch, volume, and other performance aspects.
Direct groups at rehearsals and live or recorded performances to achieve desired effects such as tonal and harmonic balance dynamics, rhythm, and tempo.
Study scores to learn the music in detail, and to develop interpretations.
Apply elements of music theory to create musical and tonal structures, including harmonies and melodies.
Consider such factors as ensemble size and abilities, availability of scores, and the need for musical variety, to select music to be performed.

From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.

What the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects

Fewer of these jobs, as public school systems are cutting funding for arts education, including music programs.
Fewer of these jobs, as private schools face declines in enrollment and tuition, forcing cuts for arts education, including music programs.

Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook

Art directorsGrows with AI, Index 39, +4.2%
Set and exhibit designersChanging shape, Index 35, +1.4%
Film and video editorsGrows with AI, Index 33, +3.7%
Landscape architectsGrows with AI, Index 58, +4.4%

Also known as: Choir Director, Conductor, Music Composer, Music Director, Arranger, Composer, Music Producer, Orchestra Director.

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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.